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Home My WebLink AboutCC 2002-08-12 Minutes MINUTES OF THE PRE-COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE PRE-COUNCIL ROOM AT CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 - AUGUST 12,2002 -5:45 P.M. Present: Oscar Trevino Frank Metts, Jr. Lyle E. Welch Scott Turnage JoAnn Johnson David Whitson Joe D. Tolbert Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilman Larry J. Cunningham Steve Norwood Greg Vick Patricia Hutson Alicia Richardson George Staples John Pitstick Larry Koonce Mike Curtis Jenny Mabry Andy Jones Karen Bostic Pam Burney City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary Assistant City Secretary City Attorney Director of Development Finance Director Public Works Director Communications Director Fire Chief Budget Director Director of Environmental Services ITEM DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order at 5:46 p.m. DISCUSS ITEMS Agenda Item 6d - GN 2002-093 - Mayor FROM REGULAR Trevino asked staff if the school district was AUGUST 12, 2002 aware of the upcoming changes. Mike Curtis CITY COUNCIL advised council he would assure that the school MEETING district is notified, M.Curtis Councilman Tolbert present at 5:47 D.m. IR 2002-118 Mr. Robb Wasielewski, President of Northeast NORTHEAST ARTS Arts Council, introduced himself to council. Mr. COUNCIL Wasielewski reported to council various events INTRODUCTION and functions sponsored and partnered by AND REPORT Northeast Arts Council. Mr. Wasielewski introduced board member Priscilla Michalk. Councilwoman Johnson asked if the money received from North Richland Hills would be spent outside of the City. ^- '--^._"....,._'-~..-_'~....,-+_._---~_._.._._-~_.._--- Pre Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 2 Mr. Wasielewski informed council that their charter mandates that they work only with the 15 communities and six school districts in Northeast Tarrant County. Mr. Wasielewski informed council when funding is requested from a governing body the funds are kept within the City. NAN IR 2002-123 Ms. Patricia Hutson outlined options for the NOVEMBER 5 upcoming November 5 Special Election to fill the SPECIAL vacancy for Place 7 on City Council. Ms. ELECTION Hutson informed council that the City can enter into agreement with Tarrant County to hold a joint election or the City can hold a separate election. The following pros and cons were identified for holding a separate and joint election: Joint Election - Pros · Citizens can vote both elections at one location · City will pay the County 75% of the cost of our most recent election · County will be using City Hall as a polling location during early voting and the citizens will be able to use the DRE system · Citizens will be able to early vote at other County early voting locations · Ability to utilize County's judges and clerks Joint Election - Cons · City's portion of election will be at the end of the ballot · 14 election day voting locations · Lengthy ballot may frustrate voters Separate Election - Pros · Three regular election day polling locations rather than 14 locations · Shorter ballot · Ability to receive timely election results Separate Election - Cons · Citizens will have to vote at two different locations for City and County ballots · Additional voting location confusion (citizens being at wrong location) · The need to recruit and train election judges and clerks to work City election Pre Council Minutes August 12, 2002 Page 3 . Dan Echols and City Hall will be utilized by the County to conduct their election. Citizens will have to wait in two lines if they wish to vote both ballots. . May encounter space problem for early voting and election day at Dan Echols and City Hall. Additional phone lines will need to be installed. The November 5 Special Election will be called at the August 29 City Council meeting. Staff is seeking council direction whether to conduct a separate or joint election. Council consensus was to hold a separate election for the November 5 Special Election. Councilwoman Johnson asked staff to educate the public about the upcoming election through the newsletter. Council also suggested that information be placed on the City website. Ms. Hutson asked council if they would like the DRE system for early voting. Council agreed to have the DRE system for early votinq. P.Hutson IR 2002-122 Mr. John Pitstick informed council that staff has DISCUSS DATES received all surveys that were sent to the City FOR ECONOMIC Council, Planning and Zoning Commission and DEVELOPMENT Economic Development Advisory Committee. STRATEGIC PLAN The first workshop will identify the top three strategies. The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Fire Administration - Training Room. Mr. Pitstick informed council that Councilman Tolbert would not be able to attend the meeting. Mayor Trevino asked Councilman Tolbert if he would be agreeable to council holding the meeting on August 21st. Councilman Tolbert informed council that it would not be a problem to move forward with the date. Councilman Whitson present at 6:06 p.m. At the second workshop staff will present formal Pre Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 4 goals and objectives for each strategy that was identified at the first meeting. Mr. Pitstick informed council that there was not a consensus of opinion for the second meeting. Staff talked to the consultants and they are available the first two weeks in October (October 1 st, 2nd or 3rd or October ¡th, 8th or 9th). Council agreed to Thursday, October 3rd at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Pitstick informed council that the consultants would give council a final presentation at a council meetina in October or November. J.PitsticklS.Norwood IR 2002-117 Mr. Greg Vick informed council that the Request REVIEW SCOPE OF for Proposal (RFP) was ready and would be SERVICES FOR distributed Tuesday, August 13th. Mr. Vick SOLID WASTE reviewed the RFP with council highlighting the PROPOSALS following: · Four-year contract with no extensions (February 1,2003 - January 31,2007) · Base proposal includes "maximum not to exceed price" for each service · Allows vendor to make modifications and/or proposed changes that will add value or better services · Level of service will be "equal to" or "better than" existing services that are provided · Identification of contact person (Greg Vick) any contact with other individuals will be grounds for disqualification of RFP · Loose brush identified as a maximum of 20 cubic yards for a $10.00 fee · Includes contract termination clause · $15,000 annual contribution for the Beautification Committee · Most favored nations clause any city that has similar service in Northeast Tarrant County and has same vendor · Residential construction site mandatory services Mr. Vick advised council that staff has scheduled a pre-bid conference Wednesday, August 14. The proposals will be opened on Tuesday, August 27. Mr. Vick informed council that a contract will be brought back for council consideration September/October timeframe. G.Vick Pre Council Minutes August 12, 2002 Page 5 IR 2002-116 Mr. Vick informed council staff if seeking council CONSIDERATION input or ideas to submit to Texas Municipal OF STATE League (TML). Staff will bring item for council LEGISLATION FOR action at the August 22 City Council meeting. SUBMITTAL TO TEXAS MUNICIPAL Mayor Trevino asked Mr. Vick to summarize the LEAGUE three major issues before legislation. Mr. Vick made council aware that there might be an issue between zoning and property rights. There are a number of issues that relate to the zoning authority of the city, land use and right- of-ways. Another may be public safety issues, which attempt to be confused with labor issues. Mr. Vick informed council that staff would be working on the City's legislation program in conjunction with what is seen from TML Legislative Committees. Staff will continue to present the City's program to state and federal leaislatures as has been done in the past. NAN IR 2002-120 Chief Andy Jones informed council of a meeting COG REGIONAL called by The Council of Governments (COG) to COORDINATING discuss threats of bio-terrorism. At the COMMITTEE FOR conclusion of the conference, political leaders of EMERGENCY the communities asked COG to develop a MANAGEMENTI regional coordinating committee to address PREPAREDNESS emergency management. COG created a Regional Emergency Management Planning Council with a method to fund the council through the member cities of the Council of Governments. The City of North Richland Hills was asked to participate at a cost of $5,000/annually, which is determined by the city's population. Staff advised council that COG asked for one-half of the assigned fees ($2,500) for the current fiscal year for "start-up" costs. The City will be billed for the full amount of $5,000 on October 1, 2002 for fiscal year 2003. Staff is recommending that the City participate in this fiscal year start-up cost. Mr. Cunningham informed council that the county would be picking up the other half of the cost for the current fiscal year. Council consensus was to proceed with the start-up cost for the current fiscal vear. G.Vick Pre Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino announced at 6:28 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to Executive Session for (a). Consultation with Attorney on a Matter in which the Duty of the Attorney to the Government Body Under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with Chapter 551 of the Local Government Code (authorized by Section 551.071); and (b). Consultation with Attorney on Threatened Litigation as authorized by Local Government Code Section 551.071 - Creek Channel. Mayor Trevino announced at 6:55 p.m. that the Council would recess the Executive Session to the regular Council meeting and would reconvene in Pre-Council immediately following the regular Council meeting. Mayor Trevino announced at 8:07 p.m. that the Council would reconvene the Executive Session. Mayor Trevino announced at 8:55 p.m. that the Council would adjourn to the Council Chambers to open the meeting and adjourn Executive Session. ,,'J, ~ \\\\\UIU'IIIII/ ~\\\\~III \' ",1: ~~ ~'f:.""''''''..,., '~.~/~ ;::. ·-n ..:~ ./ ~.. e. <.: ~ i ··.U ATTEST: . ~&( r )"- µ~.~~~ Alicia Richardson :kg~;~~¡:Gtf{~ecretary ~... '"~-""-"'-"'~~"^'"'"-~'--~'------""""'~~"~"'""--'---".----.-.---.---" MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORTH RICH LAND HILLS, TEXAS, HELD IN THE CITY HALL, 7301 NORTHEAST LOOP 820 -AUGUST 12,2002 -7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Trevino called the meeting to order August 12, 2002 at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Oscar Trevino Frank Metts, Jr. Lyle E. Welch Scott Turnage JoAnn Johnson David Whitson Joe D. Tolbert Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilman Councilman Staff: Larry J. Cunningham Steve Norwood Greg Vick Karen Bostic Alicia Richardson George Staples City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services Assistant City Secretary Attorney Absent: Patricia Hutson City Secretary 2. INVOCATION Councilman Tolbert gave the invocation. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Tolbert led the pledge of allegiance. 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS RECOGNITION OF RETIRING BARBERS- DON PARKER & BILL OTWELL, PRO BARBER SHOP City Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 2 Councilman Turnage recognized and presented Mr. Parker and Mr. Otwell with certificates. 5. REMOVAL OF ITEM{S) FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA None. 6. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED A. MINUTES OF THE PRE-COUNCIL MEETING JULY 22, 2002 B. MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING JULY 22,2002 C. GN 2002-092 APPOINTMENT TO THE CITIZEN CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT STUDY COMMITTEE (NO ACTION TAKEN AT JULY 22 CITY COUNCIL MEETING) D. GN 2002-093 REVISE FOSTER VILLAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ZONE- ORDINANCE NO. 2643 E. GN 2002-094 SETTING DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR 2002-2003 CITY BUDGET, PARKS & RECREATION FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND CRIME CONTROL DISTRICT BUDGETS COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN TURNAGE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. Motion to approve carried 6-0. Mayor Trevino asked Mike Curtis, Public Works Director, to address the revised school zone for the public. Mr. Curtis announced that the city is making adjustments to the school zone spacing. The requirements for school zones require that the school zones be located a certain distance from the school property. Per state law, the school zone speed limit along Rufe Snow Drive can only be designated a certain speed limit. It has been designated as 20mph along Rufe Snow and according to state law the speed limit is 25mph. City staff will be revising the distance and speed limit to comply with state law. - . - "--'-'""-"-'-"'--~~'~'~"'--"~'--"'~'''-'~-'-''~'''.'",".__._---,~---.~- City Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 3 7. PZ 2002-14 CONSIDERATION OF A SITE PLAN APPROVAL REQUEST FOR IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH (LOCATED AT 7321 LOLA DRIVE) APPROVED Pastor Merrill Wagenknecht was available to answer questions from council. Mr. John Pitstick, Director of Development, advised council that the applicant is proposing a 2158+ square foot office expansion to the existing church sanctuary. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval at their July 25th meeting. COUNCILMAN TOLBERT MOVED, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM METTS TO APPROVE PZ 2002-14. Motion to approved carried 6-0. 8. PZ 2002-16 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER PROPOSED REVISION TO THE R-3 RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICT LOT AND AREA REQUIREMENTS; CONSIDERATION OF REVISION TO THE MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN A SIDE OR REAR PROPERTY LINE AND GARAGE ENTRY IN ALL RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS - ORDINANCE NO. 2644 APPROVED Mayor Trevino opened the public hearing. Mr. Pitstick informed council that the Planning and Zoning Commission considered revisions to the R-3 minimum house size at council direction. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved Ordinance No. 2644 with the following recommendations: · Increase the minimum lot size from 7,500 square feet to 7,700 square feet; · Increase the minimum lot frontage for interior lots from 65' to 70' (corner lots remain at 75'); · Increase minimum lot depth 100' to 110'; · Increase the minimum dwelling unit size from 1,600 to 1,700 square feet. · Minimum front, side, and rear setbacks, maximum structure height, and rear yard open space requirements to remain unchanged. In addition, the following revisions are proposed for garage entries: City Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 4 · In the R3 District, front entry garage will set back 30' from the front building line. Side entry garages will be no more than 10' in front of the occupied building. · Garage Entry Distance (all residential districts) Increase the minimum distance between a side or rear property line and a garage entry from 20.5' to 22'. Mr. Pitstick informed council that the proposed revision in the R-3 District would only affect those properties platted after 8/12/02. Properties already platted on 8/12/02 would follow the current regulations. The Planning and Zoning Commission also made recommendations to the Planned Development, but that will be brought back for council consideration at the following meeting. Mr. Pitstick advised council that Chairperson Don Bowen and John Lewis from the Planning and Zoning Commission were present. Mayor Trevino asked Mr. Bowen to inform council of Planning and Zoning's position, Mr. Bowen advised council that for the past few years the Planning and Zoning Commission did not favor R-3, except as a buffer zone. The Commission is seeing requests for the smaller residential lots. The Planning and Zoning Commission would like to raise the bar for R-3 in North Richland Hills. The Commission would still like to see R-3 as a buffer zone between retail and the larger residential. The Commission recognizes that it is difficult to get some houses on the smaller lots, which is the reason why the Commission increased the depth by 10 feet. The Commission had considerable debate with regards to the house size. The Commission considered 1800 square feet, but it would make it difficult to differentiate between R-2 and R-3. Councilman Turnage asked staff how much undeveloped R-3 property is in the city. Mr. Pitstick advised council that there is very little property. The majority of the property has been platted. Staff has noticed that most of the requests are from Industrial and Commercial going back to R-3. In the past year, most of the tracts staff has seen rezoned to R-3 are existing Office and Commercial properties. Councilman Turnage asked if there were larger tracts. Mr. Pitstick believed there was a large tract off of Rufe Snow. The city still has some agricultural property that has not been zoned for residential property. There is very little existing vacant R-3 wide-open property. Councilwoman Johnson did not want to penalize property owners who currently have property zoned R-3 by requiring them to conform to the new R-3 regulations. City Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 5 Mayor Trevino called for comments in favor of request to come forward. There being no one wishing to speak Mayor Trevino called for comments opposed to come forward. There being no one wishing to speak Mayor Trevino closed the public hearing. COUNCILMAN TOLBERT MOVED TO APPROVE PZ 2002-16, ORDINANCE No. 2644 WITH THE MINOR CHANGE THAT THE MINIMUM DWELLING UNIT SIZE BE 1800 SQUARE FEET. MAYOR PRO TEM METTS SECONDED THE MOTION. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON ASKED COUNCILMAN TOLBERT TO AMEND HIS MOTION TO INCLUDE WORDING THAT WOULD PROTECT THE FEW PROPERTIES CURRENTLY ZONED R-3 AND NOT PLATTED. Councilman Tolbert asked Councilwoman Johnson if she would like properties that are currently zoned R-3 to fall under the old requirements for R-3, Mr. Pitstick proposed that council use the verbiage "platted or zoned" prior to August 12, 2002. COUNCILMAN TOLBERT ACCEPTED THE AMENDMENT. MAYOR PRO TEM METTS SECONDED THE AMENDMENT. Councilman Turnage was concerned that council should be concerned with the undeveloped property and the possibility of making it hard for property owners whom would like a 1600 square foot home. If Council is trying to raise the bar in terms of having higher quality of neighborhoods or quality housing maybe the council should address it by articulation standards (masonry, etc). Council would be assuring that a new neighborhood would be a quality neighborhood 5, 10, or 20 years from now and maintain its integrity. Councilman Turnage feels that council can do this by addressing the details of the home and not the square footage. Motion to approve carried 5-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Metts, Councilmen Welch, Whitson, Tolbert and Councilwoman Johnson voting for approval and Councilman Turnage voting against. 9. GN 2002-095 CONTRACT AUTHORIZING PASS THROUGH STATE GRANT AGREEMENT FOR NETS APPROVED Ms. Paulette Hartman, Assistant to the City Manager, summarized item for council. City Council Minutes August12,2002 Page 6 Councilwoman Johnson asked staff if the contract is with the existing vendor who currently have contract. Councilwoman Johnson was under the impression that the vendor was not able to fulfill the services. Ms. Hartman advised council that YMCA would continue to provide transportation for the Northeast Transportation Service (NETS). Ms. Hartman advised council that staff in the future would solicit Request for Proposals to obtain another transportation provider. Mr. Cunningham advised council that North Richland Hills along with other cities are in the process of examining the need for procurement or bidding process. Mr. Cunningham advised council this process would be several months. Staff plans to bring a discussion point regarding participating in the Urban Transit District at the next council meeting. COUNCILWOMAN JOHNSON MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WHITSON TO APPROVE GN 2002..Q95. Motion to approve carried 6-0. 10. GN 2002-096 AMENDING FOOD AND FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS REGULATIONS - ORDINANCE NO. 2645 APPROVED Ms. Pam Burney, Environmental Services Director, informed council that the Temporary Food Vendor Ordinance has been in placed for the past year. Staff informed council that they would operate under the new ordinance and report back to council in a year. Ms. Burney advised council that the ordinance has been working well, but staff has some recommendations for changes. The City Attorney advised staff that the Food Service Ordinance needed to be reformatted and staff believed this would be an excellent time to change the Temporary Food Vendor to incorporate it into one ordinance. Ordinance No. 2645 includes the following changes: · update language to reflect changes in regulatory terminology · reformat the ordinance using municipal code standards · allow for appeal of permit revocation I denial to the City Manager or his designee · changes name to Weekend Food Vendor and allow for 3 day permit · eliminate separate ordinances and incorporates language into new Food Service Ordinance · sets annual permit fee of $500.00 · limits permit to one site for the year · requires commissary be inspected by state, county or local authorities and that cart must be removed each night by 10:00 p.m. and stored at the approved commissary .·~M~__~'~_.'~'~'_"_'" ~..__.,>_."'..__~~_,..,_>___..~_____ City Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 7 Ms. Burney also stated that the annual permit is site specific. Staff is issuing the permit to vendor and not the business as was done in the past. Ms. Burney is recommending that City Council approve Ordinance No. 2645 that replaces Ordinance No.'s 2406,2407 and 2561. COUNCILMAN TOLBERT MOVED TO APPROVE GN 2002-096, ORDINANCE No. 2645. COUNCILMAN TURNAGE SECONDED THE MOTION. Motion to approve carried 6-0. 11. GN 2002-097 RECORD VOTE ON PROPOSED TAX RATE AND SETTING OF PUBLIC HEARING APPROVED Ms. Karen Bostic, Managing Director Administrative/Fiscal Services informed council that it is necessary to begin the notice and hearing procedures to establish a tax rate and approve the budget for the next fiscal year. The council's consensus to set the tax rate at .57¢, which is the tenth consecutive year for the .57¢ tax rate. Ms. Bostic explained that tax calculations are misleading to the public. Although the tax rate has not increased some citizen's property values have increased, therefore, increasing their taxes. The average homestead increased from $108,341 to $119,981 and using this as required by state law, the average homestead would increase by 10.74% or $56.50 annually in taxes. In addition to publishing the tax rate, state law requires that a record vote be taken by council concerning the proposed tax rate, and that the results be published in the Fort Worth Star Telegram. The council is also required to schedule a public hearing on the proposed rate. Staff recommends that the notice be published on Thursday, August 15 and the public hearing be scheduled for Monday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. Councilman Tolbert asked council to modify the budget process. Councilman Tolbert would like the budget process to be more productive. Councilman Tolbert believes the council needs to set requirements before the budget process is complete and final. He would like to see council putting the final touches on the budget and not digesting information provided to them. He would like more input up front, he believes the council needs to seriously look at the budget process and maybe add a couple of steps. Mayor Trevino informed Councilman Tolbert that council changed the process at the last budget session. As council creates the goals, let the goals feed into the budget. If Council discusses this at the goals work session it would help council in directing the process with staff. City Council Minutes August 12, 2002 Page 8 COUNCILMAN TURNAGE MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN WHITSON TO APPROVE GN 2002.Q97. Motion to approve carried 6-0. 12. A. CITIZENS PRESENTATION Mr. Gary Jones, 5601 Jamaica, spoke on behalf of the Food Service Ordinance. B. INFORMATION AND REPORTS Councilwoman Johnson announced the following. Residents can recycle phone books with their regular recycling service or they can bring them to the Library parking lot. There is a Trinity Waste Services dumpster in the parking lot to recycle phone books. It will be there through September 15th. The library is located at 6720 NE Loop 820. The Fire Department is taking applications for the Citizens Fire Academy. The fall academy will begin on September 10th. Deadline to sign up for this 11 week class is August 23. Call 817-427-6900 for further information. The Police Department is accepting applications for the Citizen's Police Academy. This is a 12 week course that provides an in depth look at the NRH Police Department. To learn more, call Officer Keith Bauman at 817-427-7000. Mayor Pro Tem Metts announced the following. AUQust 17 Critter Connection North Hills Mall 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 817-427-6570 13. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Trevino announced at 8:02 p.m. that the council would recess the City Council meeting to the Executive Session in the Pre-Council Chambers. City Council Minutes August 12,2002 Page 9 Mayor Trevino reconvened the council meeting in the Council Chambers at 8:57 p.m. and asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. councilrna,:".Tu:age ~~ve.d 10 adjourn I~. eling ~ $'A.~~""~~"" ~ ",-,"-\;' .'.~ 'k: ..... tl. '. ~:. §~.. n '\. , Oscar Trevino - Mayor ATTE~í r !l.!~~ ~:::,...\ - ~.., -- : . ~~~ . .. .~ ~*"'" , ~ Alicia Rich~ffltsQn,::"As'èistant City Secretary